RAILWAYS, 



39 



that to my own mind, after an extended acquaintance with Yunnan 

 and its trade, there is not the slightest doubt that the latter is the 

 better. 



The Bhamo-Teng-yiieh line would approach he T'ien-taung- 

 kuan and Ming-kaun valleys north of Teng-yiieh where iron, silver 

 and lead deposits are being worked by the Chinese. The exten- 

 sion to Ta-li Fu would tap the iron-stone field to the south of Yung- 

 ch'ang Fu, would benefit the Yun-lung Chou salt field, stimulate 

 orpiment mining south of Hsia-kuan, extend the Ta-li Fu marble 

 business, and render the Yangtze basin and central Yunnan ruining 

 fields much easier of access. I have condemned the lignites of the 

 Nan-tien valley as a possible source of fuel for the line, and the 

 nearest coalfield is two stages cast of Ta-li Fu, 



